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Telefónica tests Nokia's XGS-PON technology in the lab

Telefónica is preparing to upgrade its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network with next-generation passive optical network (PON) technology. To this end, the company has successfully tested Nokia's XGS-PON equipment in its labs.

Delivering speeds of 10Gb/s both downstream and upstream, XGS-PON provides a simple upgrade path from the current GPON technology deployed by Telefonica. The use of XGS-PON will allow Telefonica to quickly deliver new gigabit services to customers using existing GPON platforms and technology.

XGS-PON technology offers four times more upstream bandwidth than XG-PON1, which provides 2.5Gb/s upstream instead. This makes the technology especially suited for 5G networks, where it can be used for mobile backhaul as well as the aggregation of remote access node traffic, according to Nokia.

Francisco Javier Fabián, director of fixed access at Telefonica, agrees. "New services, competition and future symmetrical ultra-broadband access require enhanced fixed access technology. We are sure that XGS-PON is the correct choice to fulfil demands for gigabit bandwidth and will support the higher symmetric bandwidth required to support 5G backhaul in the future," he said.

Commenting on the announcement, Federico Guillen, president of Nokia's Fixed Networks business group, said: "Streaming services, gaming and HD video continue to drive demand for gigabit services, and the use of next-generation fibre technologies like XGS-PON will play a critical role in Telefonica's ability to deliver these enhanced services to customers – by wireless or fixed networks."

Nokia says nine customers worldwide have now installed its XGS-PON equipment. Nokia offers XGS-PON as part of its universal PON platform that uses common hardware where different optics can be plugged in to support the various technologies.

BT has made an offer to the UK government to voluntarily provide high-speed broadband to 99 per cent all homes and businesses across the country within five years, which would largely be delivered by Openreach.

The government said it received the offer after it committed to introduce a Universal Service Obligation (USO) through regulation to give every home and business in the UK the right to request a high-speed connection of at least 10Mb/s.